North Texas’ Pepi Claims League One Player of the Week

U.S. Youth international marked professional debut with hat trick in NTSC victory

TAMPA, Fla. – North Texas SC forward Ricardo Pepi has been named the USL League One Player of the Week for Week 1 of the league’s inaugural 2019 season.

Making his professional debut, the U.S. Youth international recorded a hat trick to lead North Texas to a 3-2 victory against Chattanooga Red Wolves SC at Toyota Stadium. The three-goal performance was the first hat trick in League One history, and capped a series of firsts that occurred during the new league’s historic opening weekend.

USL League One Team of the Week

GK – Pablo Jara, South Georgia Tormenta FC: Jara recorded a key save late to preserve his shutout and Tormenta FC’s victory in League One’s inaugural contest on Friday night.

D – Austin Ledbetter, FC Tucson: Ledbetter won 6 of 8 duels and made six clearances and six recoveries to help Tucson claim victory in its first game of the season.

D – Josh Phelps, South Georgia Tormenta FC: Phelps marked his professional debut with 15 clearances, and also made four recoveries and one interception in Tormenta FC’s shutout victory.

D – Grant Stoneman, Lansing Ignite FC: Stoneman won nine of 12 duels, made four recoveries and four interceptions and completed 39 of 51 passes overall in his side’s victory.

M – Steven Beattie, Chattanooga Red Wolves SC: Beattie began the Red Wolves attempted comeback with a long-range goal, and overall won 3 of 3 tackles and made five recoveries.